External Pump Plumbing

jonboyb

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Due to space limitations in my stand I really need to mount my external return pump in an unusual way to maximize space. It will involve a single 90 on the INTAKE side of the pump. I know 90's reduce effective flow on the output side of the pump but do they have an equal reduction on the intake(suction) side? Can I overcome that by increasing the pipe diameter on the intake side?
 
if it slows water down coming into the pump or the water column moving through piping after the pump, it'll reduce flow..

I think you'd be fine either way though..

remember, if you use flexible pipe like spa pipe (able to be glued into standard pvc fittings) then you'll reduce your head pressure - flexible piping can turn multiple 90 degree turns and not increase head pressure as the comperable pipe routing in hard walled PVC using 90's and Tees..
 
Due to space limitations, the intake side of the pump will have to be hard PVC. I have multiple options as far as the return side goes.
 
what size intake does your pump have?
The ony time a intake should be restricted is when the outake is => restricted If not cavitation can occur. My return external is plumbed parrell to the sump as well .It has an one inch intake and I went with an one and half inch pipe
 
3/4" both sides. I was going to use a 1" bulkhead on the intake side to make up for the necessary 90.
 
That is a great question. I just went thru this myself when I replumbed my pump setup. I had to place the pumps at a 90 degree angle on the intake side as well. The larger Pan World is 1740 GPH pressure rated (return pump to two tanks), and the smaller one is 790 GPH pressure rated (dedicated chiller pump). Large pump has 1" male intake/outlet and the small pump has 3/4" male inlet/outlet. Both are hooked up to 1" bulkheads in the return section.

I originally setup the larger one with a 1" gray PVC female NPT x 1" barb 90 degree fitting, but at full throttle got this sound started like something was rattling around in the pump head. I determined it was cavitation in the 90 degree intake bend, so I replumbed it as you see. I upsized to a
1 1/4" slip x slip 90 elbow, then downsized with reducer bushings to 1" threaded on both sides. This eliminate the cavitation at full throttle. I did the same on the smaller pump, but upsized to 1" then reduced as needed to 3/4".
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That's exactly what my pump setup is going to have to do.....down to the brand:D

I was thinking of using 1" pipe all the way.....never considered going to an oversized elbow only
 
Just upsize the elbow and that should take care of it. Did for me.

I personally prefer to use tubing over hard plumbed PVC, but to each their own.
 
grouper therapy;388397 wrote: what size intake does your pump have?
The ony time a intake should be restricted is when the outake is =&gt; restricted If not cavitation can occur. My return external is plumbed parrell to the sump as well .It has an one inch intake and <u>I went with an one and half inch pipe
</u></em>
I did as well I just upsized the elbow not the pipe
 
If you go to Lowes or Home Depot you can buy actual 90 degree bended PVC pipe in the electrical section, but it is a gradual bend and very long (maybe 12" or so). I couldn't use it in the space I had.
 
jonboyb;388390 wrote: And where is the easiest place to get the 3 and 6 foot spa sections?

I've seen it at HD or Lowes...


Acroholic;388412 wrote: If you go to Lowes or Home Depot you can buy actual 90 degree bended PVC pipe in the electrical section, but it is a gradual bend and very long (maybe 12" or so). I couldn't use it in the space I had.
they are called SWEEP 90's... and yes.. they reduce the strain of a "hard 90"




If you've got a bulkhead that's sized appropriately... just run the larger intake all the way back to the sump.... that way if you've ever got to replace the pump and you're next one has a different inlet size.. you're ready to go (or if you determine that you want to upsize the pump so it will run other pump fed apparatus)
 
Acroholic;388903 said:
check this 90 degree elbow out:

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http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=2660&product%5Fid=6283">http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=2660&product%5Fid=6283</a>[/quote

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I bet that is cheap
By the way Dave nice plumbing job in you pics:up:
 
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